The Keystone XL Pipeline (“XL”) is the 4th phase of the original Keystone project. What the press rarely seems to mention, is that phases 1-3 are already complete and transporting Alberta tar sands bitumen oil all the way to Illinois and Texas refineries. The XL portion is essentially a 2nd wider pipe from Hardisty, Alberta to Steele City, Nebraska, only this new pipe will take a more direct route across Montana, South Dakota, and Nebraska. The XL route to Steele City will be much shorter than Phase-1, provide for larger volumes, and enable additional oil from Montana and South Dakota to be added to the mix.

Just why are we here? How did we get here? What is the primary purpose of our existence? Are we really alone in the Universe with hundreds of billions of galaxies, each with hundreds of billions of stars? Is religion really a justification for any form of violence or destruction? EVER? Imagine where we might be without religion.

The town of Ferguson Missouri is in crisis after police shoot an unarmed 18-year-old with no criminal record. The St. Louis County police force has fired Tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters, and they also wrongly arrested two legitimate reporters for no clear reason. The police SWAT teams look ready to enter the battle of Fallujah, hardly a force ready to protect and serve their community.

Israel’s current military operation in Gaza is a human tragedy, leading many to ask, isn’t there a better way? Sometimes it’s better to simply watch the videos. The first is an excellent documentary by ESPN’s Jeremy Schaap, exposing some troubling views within Israel, manifested by the composition and support of their leading soccer team, Beitar Jerusalem F.C. I highly recommend this video, it is very enlightening.

Modern humanity risks eventual extinction from any number of causes, but the most likely will arise from a failure to manage our limited resources, or alternatively, to intentionally destroy each other. Are we the next dinosaurs? Are we the next inhabitants of earth to prove unable to sustain our species and civilization?

Is it unreasonable to view the current developments in Ukraine simply as a natural progression of the Soviet Union dissolution? Of course we can declare outrage, violations of International Law, and disrespect for sovereignty; but after ignoring these bedrock principles in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and elsewhere; are we simply reaping what we have sown?

Do you truly believe that (1) defaulting on existing legal obligations, (2) threatening the United States credit rating (14 amendment), (3) defaulting on T-Bills held by foreign nations, and (4) blocking settled law (ACA), are well and faithfully discharging your duties of office? Do you truly believe that undermining the Constitution; by failing to regulate foreign commerce and pay the public debt (Art I Sec 8) is conduct that upholds your oath of office? The American People know the answer, ignore them at your own peril.

Why would any Congressperson choose to risk further degradation of the U.S. credit rating and harm to our economy, future, and reputation? Have they not sworn an oath to the U.S. Constitution and to faithfully execute their office?

We need to throw this amorphous phrase “American Exceptionalism,” into the scrap heap of history, and never attempt to take advantage of its known ambiguity. If we are the great country we claim we are, then we must always pursue peace first, and not worry about who gets to take credit.

I am a few years late learning about the Deep Web, a secret underworld below the surface Internet, where all things can be privately and anonymously bought and sold. Some have called it “an eBay for criminals,” and it is currently thriving.

Does the West prefer Russia to be an Evil Empire? Unfortunately we are now unsure which Empire the West desires, a perceived arch-enemy, Cold War style evil Russia; or a United States hegemony, once again embracing the Neocon dream of another evil Empire—our own?

There is an uncomfortable similarity between current events in East Jerusalem and what transpired throughout Europe during WWII. Many Israeli “activist” citizens see the injustice and are standing proudly against it—a testament that some learn lessons, but not all. President Obama is visiting Israel very shortly, and I hope that he addresses this issue directly with our very special allies.

There are approximately 311 million Americans in the country. The distribution of wealth across those 311 million is much more inequitable than most think. The fact is that the top 1% of Americans (or a little over 3 million people) own 40% of all wealth in America.

HOW did we ever come to violate so many of the fundamental beliefs that have enabled us to climb so far so fast? Solitary Confinement for 23 hours a day—indefinitely? How brave is that? We have the highest incarceration rate of any country in the world, with almost 2.5 million people locked up—at least 80,000 in solitary confinement? How just is that? Should we remain proud of our nation? What have we become?

We have all heard their cries for limited government, less spending, less regulation, less taxes, more freedom, no Obamacare, and less Obama….yada yada yada. These are a few of the Tea Party themes consistently mentioned in the press. And don’t forget, the Tea Party movement had 60 freshman representatives join the House of Representatives after the 2010 mid-term elections, and the current Tea Party Caucus has 49 members–including 4 Senators–as of January 2013. Then again, it would be difficult to forget because they have been holding the Republican Party and the rest of the country hostage to their ideology ever since.

The richest in America already pay the highest tax percentages on wage income, and account for close to 40% of all Federal taxes collected. Perhaps they should pay even more than they do, and that remains up for discussion, but that is for Congress to decide. However, we should never accuse the rich from not paying their “fair share,” as they already pay an obvious unfair share. So lets stop the political nonsense and call things as they truly are. The 99% wish the 1% to pay a larger share than they now pay, so if we must use the term fair, in all fairness, it must be “unfair”.

There are approximately 311 million Americans in the country. The distribution of wealth across those 311 million is much more inequitable than most think. The fact is that the top 1% of Americans (or a little over 3 million people) own 40% of all wealth in America.

The richest in America already pay the highest tax percentages on wage income, and account for close to 40% of all Federal taxes collected. Perhaps they should pay even more than they do, and that remains up for discussion, but that is for Congress to decide. However, we should never accuse the rich from not paying their “fair share,” as they already pay an obvious unfair share. So lets stop the political nonsense and call things as they truly are. The 99% wish the 1% to pay a larger share than they now pay, so if we must use the term fair, in all fairness, it must be “unfair”.